EXCERPT: “Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges laid out a $1.4 billion city budget on Tuesday that raises the levy by 5.5 percent . . . Among the big items highlighted by Hodges is a $24 million investment in housing and related programs. Rents throughout the city are rising rapidly and available supply is low, not unlike the rest of the state. Hodges proposes putting $6.5 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $3.7 million into stabilizing affordable housing that currently exists. Other programs attempt to boost home ownership, build new affordable units and create a new Housing Stability Specialist assigned to tackle the issue, including zoning reform. ‘All of these investments in housing are in service to our shared goal: ensuring all of our residents have high-quality housing choices, regardless of race or income,’ Hodges said. ‘These investments get results and change lives.'” FULLSTORY: http://bit.ly/2vU7s4o